henryf
Well-Known Member
First of all a massive thanks to Sunseeker Torquay. I got chatting to Jamie at SIBS whilst he showed me round the Manhattan 55, one thing led to another and I found myself driving down to Poole the otherTuesday evening. I took the Bentley Continental, not a GT but a rather rare "S" from 1995 and had a wonderful journey. Whoever thought motorways could be such a pleasure, the reason for my choice of transport will become apparent.
Anyway, on a wet and blustery November morning I drove the half a mile from my hotel to Sunseeker Sales to be greeted by Jamie and Tom from Torquay as well as Colin from the factory. A cup of tea and a quick video showing Sunseeker's history then it was off to the factory.
I've never been to a boat factory before and one of the reasons for that was a fear it would ruin my enjoyment of boats. I had it in my mind that essentially they took fibreglass tubs then siliconed on loads of stuff ending up with some shiny surfaces on the user facing bit. I was sure that once you'd seen a boat being built you'd never want to go out and buy one.
My fears were unfounded and I came away very impressed with what goes on underneath the shiny exterior. The first thing to say is my god, a bare hull is huge. You are almost in fear of it. We were looking at 80 foot moulds and they are gigantic. Once in the water an 80 footer is never going to called small but it wouldn't scare you. Inside the factory it is a different matter.
So Hull created it was out of the mould and bulkheads were put in place. Again, the doorways looked far too small such was the enormity of the open structure. You could trace out the layout at this point, engines and heavy machinery get put in place before the top sides go on and the boat moves into the fit out hall.
There is a significant supporting structure behind all the surfaces you see in the finished article and I was re-assured looking at the amount of care and thought which went into these unseen areas. The wiring appeared to be a nightmare at first glance but look a bit closer and you could seen it's modular nature. Something like the dashboard was built up and tested off site, then plugged into the loom. Look even closer and you could see each individual wire had printing running along the outer sheathing saying what it was for. Very impressive.
There was the expected balance between machine finish and hand fettling. Sunseeker make the bulk of their components in house, we didn't have time to see the tech centre where this takes place but they have clearly invested enormously on equipment and processes to achieve excellent results whilst maintaining a flexibility to accommodate individual requirements and tastes. You get the impression anything is possible providing sir's pocket is deep enough.
The highlight of the visit had to be looking round the impressive 155 Yacht #1. It's big, very big and the construction methods obviously have to take into account mandatory requirements beyond those of "our" sized craft. ISO colour identification of all pipework was something you spotted instantly as an example. The vessel was covered from head to toe in plastic so we couldn't see the enormity or design but stepping on board was like entering a public space rather than a private boat. The supporting workshop areas were well organised and calm.
Sunseeker styling might not be to everyone's taste and some things I would deem essential such as handrails for people walking along the gunwale have to be specified as an extra but there is no denying that as a company they are working hard to produce a good boat. The guys working there all seem focussed and there was a sense of cameraderie as people worked around each other.
It was still hard to relate all the work we had seen carried out when looking at the finished article. Walking round a boat at a show it is easy to say something should be a few inches one way or the other, dealing with all the individual components so a space is created at all would be beyond the capability of most of us. This is particularly the case as boats get smaller. With a 150 footer there is quite a bit of spare space to run machinery and plant. With a 50 footer every little space has to earn it's place.
I came away pleased to have visited the build process. I wasn't disillusioned at all, in fact quite the opposite.
So, why did I rock up in the old Bentley then?
The day was a 2 part event, well actually 3 parts if you include a very pleasant buffet lunch at the Hotel du Vin. Having walked round the factory and filled my pockets full of sandwiches and pork pies we returned to the Sunseeker offices to be greeted by the boys from Bentley. They had a Continental GT Speed and Mulsanne to drive.
I set off heading towards Weymouth in the Continental Speed and have to say it was a delight. At 5,000lbs, just over 2.3 tonnes it wasn't what you might call lightweight particularly when compared to some of our more specialist Porsches but at not point did it feel large or heavy to drive. In fact quite the opposite, through the narrow roads it was beautifully poised and well balanced. to say it was powerful would be something of an understatement. With the button labelled sport pressed down and your foot nearing the sumptuous carpet this bad boy shot out of the trap like a greyhound on a mission and it just kept on going. At no point did it occur to the car that it might be time to think about running out of puff.
Descending into one of several villages on our route I lowered the window slightly to take in the car's exhaust note. Suitably satisfying. Purposeful enough to say I've arrived, but not so offensive that fathers would feel the need to lock up their daughters.
What was even more impressive was the fact this was the cabriolet version without the benefit of a tin roof to reduce body flex. To be fair we didn't have the roof down - I didn't have my oil skins, but the cabin was solid without any creaks.
After just under an hour it was time to swap over into the Mulsanne. 1,000lbs, a bit under half a tonne heavier this was never intended to be classed as a lightweight, in fact far from it. This car is supposed to make you feel special. You should be equally at home driving yourself or being driven by a bloke wearing a hat and the idea is you don't look a tool when you get there.
A Rolls Royce Phantom does make a bit of a statement, a bit like going round and laying a turd on your neighbours door step, it can't be ignored. A Bentley Mulsanne on the other hand is a bit more subtle, Gramoxone all over their back lawn. When you turn up somewhere people aren't immediately sure what you've arrived in and just who you are. There are no specific signs that point to the fact you went into the dealership with, in round terms, £200,000 but there's something about the car which makes onlookers stare.
Compared to the Continental this is all about bespoke luxury. It isn't slow and doesn't wallow but you need a minute to re-adjust your driving style. You glide everywhere, apexes aren't there to be clipped and if someone wants to pull out of a junction then slow down and let them out. It brings out the gentleman in you.
In some ways the car is more tiring to drive than the Continental because you are dealing with more mass and the steering isn't as sharp but then again you don't feel the urge to explore all that power. You do tend to grow horns in the Continental Speed which might not endear you to the local constabulary.
All in all a cracking day out and grateful thanks to both Sunseeker and Bentley.
Anyway, on a wet and blustery November morning I drove the half a mile from my hotel to Sunseeker Sales to be greeted by Jamie and Tom from Torquay as well as Colin from the factory. A cup of tea and a quick video showing Sunseeker's history then it was off to the factory.
I've never been to a boat factory before and one of the reasons for that was a fear it would ruin my enjoyment of boats. I had it in my mind that essentially they took fibreglass tubs then siliconed on loads of stuff ending up with some shiny surfaces on the user facing bit. I was sure that once you'd seen a boat being built you'd never want to go out and buy one.
My fears were unfounded and I came away very impressed with what goes on underneath the shiny exterior. The first thing to say is my god, a bare hull is huge. You are almost in fear of it. We were looking at 80 foot moulds and they are gigantic. Once in the water an 80 footer is never going to called small but it wouldn't scare you. Inside the factory it is a different matter.
So Hull created it was out of the mould and bulkheads were put in place. Again, the doorways looked far too small such was the enormity of the open structure. You could trace out the layout at this point, engines and heavy machinery get put in place before the top sides go on and the boat moves into the fit out hall.
There is a significant supporting structure behind all the surfaces you see in the finished article and I was re-assured looking at the amount of care and thought which went into these unseen areas. The wiring appeared to be a nightmare at first glance but look a bit closer and you could seen it's modular nature. Something like the dashboard was built up and tested off site, then plugged into the loom. Look even closer and you could see each individual wire had printing running along the outer sheathing saying what it was for. Very impressive.
There was the expected balance between machine finish and hand fettling. Sunseeker make the bulk of their components in house, we didn't have time to see the tech centre where this takes place but they have clearly invested enormously on equipment and processes to achieve excellent results whilst maintaining a flexibility to accommodate individual requirements and tastes. You get the impression anything is possible providing sir's pocket is deep enough.
The highlight of the visit had to be looking round the impressive 155 Yacht #1. It's big, very big and the construction methods obviously have to take into account mandatory requirements beyond those of "our" sized craft. ISO colour identification of all pipework was something you spotted instantly as an example. The vessel was covered from head to toe in plastic so we couldn't see the enormity or design but stepping on board was like entering a public space rather than a private boat. The supporting workshop areas were well organised and calm.
Sunseeker styling might not be to everyone's taste and some things I would deem essential such as handrails for people walking along the gunwale have to be specified as an extra but there is no denying that as a company they are working hard to produce a good boat. The guys working there all seem focussed and there was a sense of cameraderie as people worked around each other.
It was still hard to relate all the work we had seen carried out when looking at the finished article. Walking round a boat at a show it is easy to say something should be a few inches one way or the other, dealing with all the individual components so a space is created at all would be beyond the capability of most of us. This is particularly the case as boats get smaller. With a 150 footer there is quite a bit of spare space to run machinery and plant. With a 50 footer every little space has to earn it's place.
I came away pleased to have visited the build process. I wasn't disillusioned at all, in fact quite the opposite.
So, why did I rock up in the old Bentley then?
The day was a 2 part event, well actually 3 parts if you include a very pleasant buffet lunch at the Hotel du Vin. Having walked round the factory and filled my pockets full of sandwiches and pork pies we returned to the Sunseeker offices to be greeted by the boys from Bentley. They had a Continental GT Speed and Mulsanne to drive.
I set off heading towards Weymouth in the Continental Speed and have to say it was a delight. At 5,000lbs, just over 2.3 tonnes it wasn't what you might call lightweight particularly when compared to some of our more specialist Porsches but at not point did it feel large or heavy to drive. In fact quite the opposite, through the narrow roads it was beautifully poised and well balanced. to say it was powerful would be something of an understatement. With the button labelled sport pressed down and your foot nearing the sumptuous carpet this bad boy shot out of the trap like a greyhound on a mission and it just kept on going. At no point did it occur to the car that it might be time to think about running out of puff.
Descending into one of several villages on our route I lowered the window slightly to take in the car's exhaust note. Suitably satisfying. Purposeful enough to say I've arrived, but not so offensive that fathers would feel the need to lock up their daughters.
What was even more impressive was the fact this was the cabriolet version without the benefit of a tin roof to reduce body flex. To be fair we didn't have the roof down - I didn't have my oil skins, but the cabin was solid without any creaks.
After just under an hour it was time to swap over into the Mulsanne. 1,000lbs, a bit under half a tonne heavier this was never intended to be classed as a lightweight, in fact far from it. This car is supposed to make you feel special. You should be equally at home driving yourself or being driven by a bloke wearing a hat and the idea is you don't look a tool when you get there.
A Rolls Royce Phantom does make a bit of a statement, a bit like going round and laying a turd on your neighbours door step, it can't be ignored. A Bentley Mulsanne on the other hand is a bit more subtle, Gramoxone all over their back lawn. When you turn up somewhere people aren't immediately sure what you've arrived in and just who you are. There are no specific signs that point to the fact you went into the dealership with, in round terms, £200,000 but there's something about the car which makes onlookers stare.
Compared to the Continental this is all about bespoke luxury. It isn't slow and doesn't wallow but you need a minute to re-adjust your driving style. You glide everywhere, apexes aren't there to be clipped and if someone wants to pull out of a junction then slow down and let them out. It brings out the gentleman in you.
In some ways the car is more tiring to drive than the Continental because you are dealing with more mass and the steering isn't as sharp but then again you don't feel the urge to explore all that power. You do tend to grow horns in the Continental Speed which might not endear you to the local constabulary.
All in all a cracking day out and grateful thanks to both Sunseeker and Bentley.
